How to host a great dinner party at a restaurant

I’ve always loved a dinner party. It’s so much fun to bring together a good group of family and friends to socialize and enjoy a meal. But who says you always have to do it in your home? For those like me who may be pressed for time or may be limited in space, a nice alternative is to host a great dinner party at a restaurant.

Don’t get me wrong, even as the Man about DC, I’ve been known to whip up a delicious meal in my own home for a group of friends. However there are advantages to hosting a dinner party at a restaurant. First, the cooking is done for you. There’s no stressing over what to prepare, no hours in the kitchen slaving over a hot stove and no fussing over the meal when you could be attending to your friends. And that’s the second bonus. Your time can now be spent with your guests. Since you’re not preparing dinner, you are free to enjoy your company instead of worrying if you’re going to burn the meal or something isn’t coming out exactly as planned. Finally and maybe the best advantage of all is there’s no clean up. Once dinner is over you can just leave at the end of the night.

Although you may not be having a party at home, there are still some things, you need to do to host a great dinner party at a restaurant. Follow these 8 tips and make your party a success.

 

1. Pick a restaurant that you enjoy

Work with the restaurant to make the evening special. Make sure the space is conducive for everybody to talk and mingle. The idea is to make the evening just as enjoyable as if it were in your own home. Look for a private dining room or a section away from the regular patrons. You want people to feel special.

2. Plan out the menu

If you were hosting in your home you would not be cooking meals to order for each of your guests. So it makes sense to have a specialized menu for your soiree. Chose a set menu or allow people to pick from a limited selection. Have the restaurant serve some of their best dishes. But do remember to take into consideration the dietary restrictions of your company.

3. Start with a cocktail period before dinner

Serve wine or a signature drink as people arrive. Use this time to mingle and greet your guests. As host make sure to introduce those who might not know each other. The cocktail hour allows a little time for late arrivals and helps you gauge when to move on to dinner.

4. Personalize the atmosphere

Since you’re not in your home, find ways to add your touches to the evening. If the restaurant allows tablescapes or flowers, you can add your personality to the evening. I like to create my own name cards as well as print out the menu for the evening.

Also work with the restaurant to discuss how you would like the meal served. Sometimes I like a plated sit down dinner. Other times, I’ll have the meal served family style. I love the sense of camaraderie with the sharing of plates.

5. Arrange the seating

For a group of 8 -10, one table is sufficient. In a pinch you might stretch that to 12. Higher than that number, opt for multiple small tables so people can actually engage with one another. People should feel free and comfortable to chat with their neighbors.

Use place cards. Note personalities as well as who’s not getting along but feel free to mix it up. I tend to split up couples and close friends.

6. Manage expectations

Personally if I’m hosting a dinner at a restaurant, I would not expect my guests to split the bill. I wouldn’t charge people to eat in my home so a dinner party at a restaurant should deserve the same courtesy. That being said, if the expectation is to split the bill, make sure this is explained prior the dinner as part of the invite.

7. Dress to impress

It’s okay to set a dress code. That way everyone is on the same page. Pus you know you want to show off that new outfit you’ve been dying to wear!

8. Don’t forget your role as host

This is probably the most important tip. You may not be in your own home but it is your party. Charm your guests and make them feel welcome. Keep the restaurant staff informed of any issues or changes. And most of all enjoy yourself. Do this and the night will go off without a hitch!

I hosted my last dinner party at Sequoia Restaurant at the Georgetown Waterfront. While it’s typically a go to place for special occasions, it’s the perfect place to host a great dinner party at a restaurant. The restaurant has some fantastic private spaces to have a party, they also have some secluded sections within the main dining area. We sat on the second floor overlooking the magnificent dining room, yet we had own area to mingle and enjoy dinner.

Sequoia is known for its spectacular weekend brunches and phenomenal outdoor seating along the Georgetown waterfront. But it’s an ideal place to host a dinner party. Check out another dinner party  I held there.

Dressed to Impress

As the DCFashion Fool, I love to dress for an occasion. Since this was my occasion, I was definitely bringing my A game. My friends were told to dress to impress so I needed to do the same thing. Shop my details and see what a bargain my suit was.

Navy pinstriped suit – Paisley & Gray (Great deal at less thzn $100!) | White dress shirt – Saks Fifth Avenue | Solid silver tie – Prada| Brown lace ups – Louis Vuitton (similar here or here)

 

Photos by 10^th Letter Visuals